Primary Care Provider Shortages in Texas Inspire Innovative Approaches from the Best Health Insurance Companies
8 Minutes
Team Curative
May 15, 2024
Finding a new primary care provider can be a challenge for your employees. The United States is facing a nationwide shortage of physicians that fails to meet the increasing demand for medical care. In Texas, growing populations in both urban and rural settings are causing longer wait times and more stress on an already strained healthcare system.
In support of their talent, employers need to consider how the best health insurance companies support members in finding quality medical care promptly. The shortage of medical care in Texas requires innovative solutions. Potential talent will be looking at the health insurance Texas employers offer as an influential part of the employment package.
There is a primary care healthcare shortage in Texas.
Access to timely healthcare has been a problem in the United States for decades. The number of Americans who do not have access to primary care providers has nearly doubled since 2014. Today, over 100 million Americans struggle to find primary care providers in their area. Access is only expected to become more challenging as a growing American population increases the demand for primary care services.
The healthcare shortage is quickly becoming a public health crisis. “Healthcare delayed is often healthcare denied, and a growing number of Americans are going to experience this unfortunate fact,” points out James Taylor, group president of the leadership solutions division at AMN Healthcare, the largest healthcare staffing agency in the United States.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Texas only has 204.9 physicians per 100,000 involved in direct patient care. In comparison, the national average is closer to 245.3 per 100,000. This statistic places Texas as the 7th-worst U.S. state for access to direct patient care.
An aging population and an increasing number of physicians nearing retirement age increase the wait times for medical appointments. A Texas Department of State Health Services report highlighted the challenge: “There is a current shortage of physicians in Texas, and this shortage will continue to increase through 2032.” Projections of medical education in the state indicated that the number of graduates from existing programs would not meet the projected physician needs.
Due to the declining number of primary care providers, younger people are seeking alternatives to the traditional healthcare models. Millennial and Gen Z patients are less likely to utilize primary care providers, opting instead to use resources like online medical services, urgent care, and emergency rooms. This trend has potential downsides – by not engaging in primary care services, millennial and Gen Z patients run the risk of worsened medical symptoms and missing early indicators of disease.
How important is a primary care provider?
A primary care provider (PCP) offers numerous benefits that improve health outcomes and overall well-being. A PCP is a healthcare professional, typically a family physician, internist, or pediatrician, who serves as the main point of contact for an individual's healthcare needs.
A primary care provider has several key benefits:
Preventive Care: One of the primary roles of a PCP is to provide preventive care, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings. By monitoring your health regularly, a PCP can help prevent serious health issues or detect them early when they are more easily treatable.
Management of Chronic Conditions: For individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, a PCP plays a crucial role in managing these conditions. They can help monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Cost-Effective Care: Studies have shown that individuals who have a primary care provider tend to have lower overall healthcare costs. Preventive care and early intervention can help prevent more severe and costly health issues.
Holistic Care: A primary care provider takes a comprehensive approach to your health, considering your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They can provide counseling, support, and referrals to specialists or other healthcare professionals.
Coordination of Care: If you require care from multiple healthcare providers, a PCP can serve as a central coordinator, ensuring that all aspects of your care are well-managed and that information is shared among providers.
Access to primary care has been shown to increase life expectancy. Research shows that primary care improves health and life expectancy regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, employment, income, or smoking status.
How does the primary care provider shortage affect Texas employers?
As an employer, it is essential to consider how the best health insurance companies can play a role in keeping your talent healthy. With shortages in primary care providers, choosing an insurance option that gives comprehensive coverage and improved access to healthcare providers is essential. Ultimately, providing employer-based health insurance and preventive healthcare will create a more productive and engaged workforce.
Here are a couple of ways a robust health insurance program can support company talent:
Easy access to healthcare: Finding a doctor can be challenging. Health insurance programs can ease this burden by guiding members in finding care in their area. Some insurance companies cover telehealth appointments. Companies like Curative partner with medical groups to provide even more accessible access to quality care to their members.
Improve morale and engagement: A healthy employee is a happy employee. When your talent physically and mentally feel their best, they are more motivated to engage at work. Healthy employees take fewer sick days!
Create a culture of wellness: Employer-based healthcare programs can be one piece in creating a culture of wellness in the workplace. Employers demonstrate that they care for their employees by prioritizing preventive healthcare and healthy practices, which in turn creates a positive and supportive work environment.
Attract and retain top talent: Today’s job market is incredibly competitive. Employees are considering the complete job offer package when choosing their place of employment. Offering one of the best health insurance companies as a benefit can be the tipping point in a strong candidate's recruitment (and retention).
Curative Primary Care offers a new solution.
The Curative health plan is an innovative health insurance approach that works with employers to provide comprehensive coverage and affordable medical visits. It meets members' needs and has a proven track record as one of the best health insurance companies.
Curative Primary Care is an independent medical group that works exclusively with the Curative health plan to provide healthcare tailored to meet member needs. The team of licensed doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other clinical team members work together for each member’s personalized health plan. Texas-based Curative health plan members will have easy access to providers in the Curative Primary Care group.
The Curative Primary Care network offers flexible options to meet healthcare needs. Visit our conveniently located office in downtown Austin for an in-person appointment or schedule a virtual appointment to connect with a provider from wherever you are.
About Curative
Curative is a new kind of employer-sponsored health insurance that provides comprehensive healthcare while prioritizing affordability, engagement, and simplicity.
No copays. No deductibles. No...really. Curative is changing the way we view health insurance.
Curative provides top-notch primary care to Texans both in-person and virtually. Learn more about Curative’s robust local and national provider network by visiting our website.
To see all disclaimers, please view here.
References
2023 U.S. physician Workforce Data dashboard. AAMC.
https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/data/2023-us-physician-workforce-data-dashboard
Golinkin, W. (2024, February 23). Primary care: Why it’s important and how to increase access
Howley, E. K. (2022, July 25). There’s a physician shortage in the U.S. here’s why. Time.
https://time.com/6199666/physician-shortage-challenges-solutions/
Miller, C. (2023, September 29). Physician shortage grows worse across Texas. Texas 2036.
https://texas2036.org/posts/physician-shortage-grows-worse-across-texas/
Lagasse, J. (2023, March 17). With provider shortage, fewer patients pursue primary care. Healthcare Finance. https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/provider-shortage-fewer-patients-pursue-primary-care
National Association of Community Health Centers. (2023, February). Closing the Primary Care
Rosenthal, E. (2023, September 8). The shrinking number of primary care physicians is
reaching a tipping point. KFF Health News. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/lack-of-primary-care-tipping-point/
Scott, D. (2023, August 7). What happened to the family doctor?. Vox.
https://www.vox.com/23817170/family-doctor-primary-care-physician-general-practitioner-shortage
Texas Health and Human Services. Physician Supply and demand projections 2021-2032.
